5) Gucci ManeThe Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted (So Icey Ent./Asylum Records)New releases on the latest hip-hop top five chart from the Hollywood Amoeba Music store include both Gucci Mane's third & latest (and best) album to date The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted and the anticipated debut from Mane's protege, Waka Flocka Flame,which surprisingly does not disappoint. Note this rapper's cameos to date had been kinda lackluster and the subject of much dissing on the Internet. (If you haven't heard it, check out the Shawt Bus Shawty parody that spoofs him, Gucci, etc.) Titled Flockaveli (no doubt in a nod to 2Pac's Makeveli), the 23 year old Waka Flocka Flame (known round the dinner table at home as Juaquin Malphurs) is part of the popular Atlanta based So Icey Boyz (signed to Gucci Mane's So Icey Entertainment) and also is a member of Gucci's Brick Squad. Waka appeared on Gucci Mane's last album, 2009's The State vs. Radric Davis. Also last year he created a buzz with his mixtape Shoot Me Or Salute Me. The title would prove to be darkly ironic considering that the rapper was shot some months later (January this year) in a roadside robbery when he stopped at a car wash on National Highway in GA.

Of course, getting shot (or incarcerated -- like his mentor Mane) if you are a gangsta rapper only adds to the appeal for many impressionable rap fans (and there are many). But beyond that, Flockaveli really does stand on its own since it is straight up, raw, rugged, hardcore rap -- not sing-song-y, trying to be RnB pop-rap. Thankfully there's no Auto-Tune; instead we get non-stop unadulterated gangsta tales of slangin' and bangin' in a Dirty South, crunk-throwback style. The album's hardcore production can be credited to Lex Luger, who does about 2/3 of the album's beats, while other contributors include Drumma Boy and Lil Jon & NIKO, who produced the sure to be popular track "Smoke, Drank." Meanwhile Flockaveli's many mic cameos include Pastor Troy, Wale & Roscoe Dash, Slim Dunkin, Popa Smurf & Ice Burgundy, and YG Hootie. The 17-track CD even includes the artist's popular single "O Let's Do It" (see video below).

Waka Flocka Flame "O Let's Do It" (2010)

Lil Wayne's just released latest CD I Am Not a Human Being is redeeming after his last album, the long delayed and artistically scattered Rebirth, disappointed many of his longtime fans as well as many critics. The rap star is still in Riker's Island, currently serving out the remainder of his sentence in solitary confinement after he was found hiding a charger and headphones for a digital music player in his cell. And being aware that he will not be able to communicate with anyone while in solitary, last week the rapper wrote a final letter and posted it on his blog. He thanked fans for supporting I Am Not A Human Being, which was already released digitally (the CD version came out this week).

"It amazes me each time people go out and support my music," Wayne, aka Weezy, wrote. "I'll always be in debt to you for that. Keep rocking your "Free Weezy" tees and rocking out to my music. Trust me when I say this is almost over. I love you. I'll continue to pray for all of you. Just keep doing the same for me." Wayne, who is serving his time in the NY facility following his conviction on a gun possession charge, is scheduled to be released on November 4. But then he begins serving three years probation on a drug charge in Arizona.

Lil Wayne "YM Banger (feat. Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz & Tyga)" (2010)

Zion I, whose Atomic Clock drops in a few weeks, is out on a two-month tour at the moment. Last Sunday they did an invite only listening party in Oakland at the The New Parish; an event that the Amoeblog gave away tix to. One of the winners, Sarah C, who took the accompanying photo from that gig, reported back: "It was a great show. They played the whole album and then did a live performance which included "Don't Lose Your Head." I love that song. Also DJ Platurn was spinning at the beginning. He played this mix of "Blow the Whistle" that I totally freaked for. There was also an opening act called Bang Data. Thanks, Amoeblog, for the tickets. It rocked!"

Atomic Clock will arrive on Amoeba's shelves on November 9th. Today (Friday, October 15th) the Oakland duo play at Floyd's Music Store in Tallahassee, FL and will be back in the Bay Area/NorCal in mid to late November when their dates will include Slim's in San Francisco on November 20th & 21st.

In San Francisco tomorrow, Saturday, Oct 16th, DJ Shortkut will be celebrating his birthday in style with a big birthday bash at Eve Lounge in the South of Market area where the long time Bay Area DJ will spin along with Vin Roc and Mr E. More info here.

Meanwhile, tonight (Friday, Oct 15th) the ever-busy Shortkut will be among the DJ lineup at club Mighty in San Francisco where Z-Trip will be headlining. Also spinning and rocking the crowd will be Carey Kopp and the Oakland Faders' Platurn and DJ Enki. Info/tix here.

The show today that you do not want to miss if you're in the Bay is the free instore performance from deservedly hyped South African Miami bass & techno influenced rap group Die Antwoord at the San Francisco Amoeba Music store. Featuring Ninja, Yo-Landi Vi$$er and DJ Hi-Tek, Die Antwoord's long anticipated official debut album, $0$, was released this week. Those who buy the album at Amoeba SF before this evening's show will get a wristband that admits them into the signing line after today's instore set.

Based on the millions of YouTube hits that this Internet sensation has gotten, you can be guaranteed that tonight's in-store will mobbed with fans, so get there early. 6pm official showtime. Get all the info here! And for information on this weekend'sTreasure Island Music Festivalthat Die Antwoord is performing at, click here. Meanwhile, below check out the group's What's In My Bag?Amoeba video.